“IN THE SHADOW OF THE CROSS”We often forget that much of our pain comes from the consequences of our own sinful and rebellious choices, and all of our pain is the result of mankind’s rejection of God.

God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him” (Romans 5:6-9 NKJV).

Remember: In the shadow of the cross, it is hard to condemn God for allowing us to suffer. We come to Him covered in our own filth, and He cradles us to His chest, holds us tight, and sings over us in our suffering and waiting. In the light of our salvation, it is even harder for us to comprehend how great the Father’s love for us must truly be.

When the Spirit of God comes, He does not give us visions, He tells us to do the most ordinary things conceivable...the most natural simple things—the things we would never have imagined God was in, and as we do them we find He is there. Say a prayer of thanks, God doesn’t waste our time. He is the master teacher, He knows what skill we will need to fulfill our role in building His kingdom. "How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our steps. (Proverbs 20:24)

To those at a computer all day, keeping church doors open, mowing lawns, shoveling snow, plowing snow, studying the Bible, doing bulletins, washing dishes, or practicing the piano—rejoice. It all matters.

Remember: “Regaining Childlike Faith”When you feel yourself caught up in the fear of the world, close your eyes tightly for a moment -- envision that child who walked without looking over their shoulders; the person you were before the world took it’s toll on your spirit. Today pray that as you approach those trees in your life that remain unclimbed, you will grab onto a branch and go to new heights. Pray that despite those fences you are afraid of, you will know that even if you stumble, God will never let you fall. And most of all, Pray that as you walk through the darkness, you will know that even when the moon goes behind the clouds, you still have “the light of the world” right beside you every step of the way.

“TAKE THE LIMITS OFF YOUR LIFE” . . . Jeremiah 1:5 says, "I knew you before I formed you in your mothers womb. Before you were born I set you apart.God chose you, He formed you, He set you apart!"

That means He designed you and made you to His exact specifications. He made you in His image with a great purpose and plan for your life. So no matter how you were raised or what has caused you to have negative or limited thinking,

Remember: God has set you apart for greatness even before you were born. God has made us all for a divine purpose in which to glorify Him. He wants to bless us and prosper us. He wants us to live in amazing victory.

Remember:We forget the importance of just being whom we are, the unique individual made by God. He made us first and foremost to be, not to do. We struggle to do things in order to get what wewant inlife. We push ourselves to do anything in order to please God, when what He really wants is not so much what we do for Him, but what we are to Him. Sure, it’s good to have goals in life, but do not fail to appreciate and enjoy who you are and what you have right now. Your life here and now is incredibly important! Don’t worry so much about tomorrow. "Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow” (Matt. 6:34). Tomorrow will take care of itself.